I Dare You (The Hook Up #1)(44)

“What’s wrong?” I ask as we head to the foyer of the restaurant.

He exhales. “The thing is…you’ve never seen where I grew up. It’s not much.”

“You don’t have to apologize for how you grew up. Your humble circumstances made you who you are”—I squeeze his hand—“and you’re one of the most honest, hardworking people I know.”

“I’m not honest.”

What? I look at him. “Yes, you are.”

He doesn’t meet my gaze and I imagine I read remorse on his face, but over what, I can’t imagine.

“You have stalked me since freshman year…so there’s that.” I give him a soft slap on the shoulder, trying to change his mood.

He nods and shoots me a brief smile, seeming to come around. “Yeah, and you always dreamed about me even when we weren’t together. You watched me on the field at every home game and wondered what it would be like between us. You may not admit it—because you were seeing Alex—but I know you did.”

“How on earth do you contain that giant ego of yours? Oh, that’s right—you don’t.”

He tugs at my hair. “Admit it—you’ve wanted me since the moment I kissed you at the bonfire.”

“Nope.”

“You have.”

“Okay, fine. I can’t deny a few fantasies,” I murmur. “There’s this one in particular where you’re in a Han Solo outfit in my front yard holding an eighties-style boom box, trying to woo me.”

“Do I have a light saber?”

I grin, waggling my eyebrows. “Oh, yeah, a big one.”

He laughs, and I lean my head on his shoulder as we walk out the door, aware that several pairs of eyes are watching us. A few die-hard fans even have their phones out and are snapping pics. A young boy, around eight years old, has been sitting in the waiting areas with his family and comes running up, yelling Maverick’s name. He hands him a napkin to scrawl an autograph on and he graciously does so before folding it back into the kid’s shirt pocket.

Just as we’re almost to his truck, Maverick’s phone rings and he looks down at it, sees who’s calling, and stops.

“Is it your dad?”

He shakes his head, his face hardening “No, but I need to take this.” He hands me the keys. “Go ahead and get in. I’ll be there in a second.”

I glance at the ringing phone in his hand and the scowl on his face.

“Ryker?” I press.

“No. Just wait for me please.” His words are curt, and my body stiffens. I want to ask him what the hell is going on, but he’s barely noticing because the phone has all his attention. I watch as he stalks away from me to take the call, going several feet before he answers, his voice hushed.

What is he hiding from me?

I get in the truck, but I turn around to watch him as he paces back and forth, his body language tense as he listens intently to whoever is speaking.

Why is he being evasive? Maybe it’s Raven. Maybe it has something to do with the bruises he had or the fact that he’s always busy. I chew on my lip as worry settles in my gut. Am I putting my trust in someone who’s only going to let me down? What if these sweet moments with him are just stolen bits of paradise that will crumble at any moment?

What if…he breaks my heart?





Maverick



On Monday, I wake up tired and worn out in my dorm room. After working out in the ring at Carson’s for two hours last night, I ended up going out to the trailer to make Raven dinner and then hung around while she took a bath and went to bed.

Dad was there, and I’m still angry with him for being a no-show at the dinner where I’d planned for him to meet Delaney. I don’t know why I thought it was a good idea for us all to have dinner. I guess there’s just a small part of me that’s still optimistic that he will be a regular dad. Turned out, he went to a bar after work for a few drinks and lost track of time. Figures. Delaney and I ended up picking Raven up then having dinner with her at Giardina’s, and by the time we brought her home, Dad was already in bed passed out—further proof that Pineview is a great idea.

After showering, I come out of the bathroom and Muffin is sitting on the couch in her underwear and one of Ryker’s shirts. A cursory glance around the room tells me his door’s shut, and I figure he’s still sleeping.

She darts her eyes at me rather furtively as she puts something behind her back, and I study her more intently. Maybe it was her phone. Whatever. There’s not much to steal here, so I ignore it, and I don’t want to ask her too many questions because she might get the idea that I’m interested in her.

I mutter out a greeting as I walk past, keeping my eyes averted from her legs, which she’s propped up on the coffee table. She’s a sly girl with an agenda, and I’m disappointed Ryker is still into her. To me, it’s clear she still wants Alex if the way she chased him at the baseball party is anything to go by.

I make my way to the kitchenette to make a protein drink before class.

“So, you’re with Delaney now?” she asks, her nasally voice echoing in the room.

I give her a short nod. “We’re dating.”

Her lips turn down, her distaste obvious. “I don’t know what everyone sees in her. First Alex, and now you—she must be amazing in bed.”